It's been a long time!
Forgot I had this chapter still and forgot to upload it months ago. Here you go!
"See, I wasn't lying, otou-sama!" Hanabi pointed to the PCs inside the store.
Hiashi scanned the room and his eyebrow raised seeing the strange devices. They were all uniform and the inside of the store looked insane with the visuals. Looking at the posters for COD and Wizard101.
He also noticed the other shinobi within the shop. Most of them were Jonin and Kakashi Hatake's Genin team was in front of the desk looking at him curiously.
The man didn't refute his daughter, but he remained skeptical if it was just a child's imagination. He wasn't sure.
Naruto was looking at the older man and his eyes seemed familiar then saw the two girls with him. His mind made the connection as one looked like that quiet classmate from the academy.
"You're Hinata! So you like me or something?" Naruto gazed into her eyes with uncertainty but optimistic.
Sasuke and Sakura gaped at what they just heard.
Hinata was taken aback from the question and was about to faint before remembering her father was right there and held on. She didn't want to give him even more of a reason to be disappointed.
Hanabi on the other hand gave him a glare and kicked his shin.
"OW!" Naruto started hopping on one foot in pain.
"Hanabi." Her father simply called her name and she returned to a neutral expression.
"I'm sorry, otou-sama." She backed away from him.
"Naruto that wasn't really appropriate." Kakashi wanted to sigh as Naruto didn't have the tact not to say that in front of her father, the head of the Hyuga Clan.
Hiashi mostly ignored the question attributing it to youthful ignorance. He wasn't a fool and knew that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's child, so he definitely wouldn't mind him marrying into the clan especially since Hinata has shown no promise unlike her sister. The status would elevate their clan further.
He locked eyes with Marashi and couldn't help but she the large resemblance between him and his father.
"Marashi, it has been a long time." He looked down to his daughters. "You haven't met my daughters. This is Hinata and the younger is Hanabi."
"It's nice to meet you." They both bowed as both didn't know why their father was introducing them to this store owner. Hanabi would've thought it was because of what she experienced inside, but her father didn't believe her so it couldn't be that.
"Yo. Hope you enjoy your time here at Computer Cafe." Marashi smiled and waved.
The other adults in the room were silent watching the exchange, but not surprised. It wasn't a secret that Marashi's mother was a student of Tsunade and knew that Hiashi was saved by her during the Third Great Shinobi War.
Kakashi's Genin team didn't really know what was going on but didn't say anything.
Naruto wanted to ask what that little girl's problem until his sensei pulled him back.
Hiashi got to the main issue.
"My daughter seems to believe that she can…go inside computers and be a wizard in this shop." He felt secondhand embarrassment saying such a thing but still kept a straight face.
Everyone else just waited as he would soon see that it is very real.
"That's correct, Hiashi-san. My cafe allows you to play games and go inside the virtual world if you choose to do so. It's 500ryo an hour." Marashi explained to the clan leader.
Hiashi was still very skeptical and would've been outright dismissive if not for their loose connection.
"I see. I'll try it with my daughters." He gave the owner 1,500ryo.
"Would you like a Game Card?" Marashi took the bills and asked.
"What is it?" Hiashi asked.
"It allows you to load up on hours so you won't have to get up every hour for me to recharge it. Hanabi can show you how to use it. You can also use it on the Snack Machine. There's priority seating for card holders and every 24 hours of playtime you get an hour for free and a 10% discount on any snack item along with more rewards down the line. Also bulk purchases of 12 or more hours bought, you get a 15% discount. The Game Card is also free." Marashi decided on these benefit with his downtime and even have a few ideas floating around for 50 and 100 hours too.
Hiashi raised an eyebrow at the perks but since it was free then he didn't mind taking it.
"Sure." He simply stated as he took two cards from him and giving one to Hinata.
Hanabi went and showed her father and sister how to use it unable to hide her smile.
Marashi checked the Games tab on his status and noticed that he can see the next game which means he passed 50,000 in sales. It was Stardew Valley, but unfortunately he doesn't have enough CCP to unlock it yet. He was at just a bit over 40,000 so he's close.
Not that he would buy it yet, since he needs more PCs to keep up with his growing customer base.
"Hmm. I've never heard of these new discounts." Kakashi raised his one visible eyebrow and the others also looked at him.
"Just thought of it not long ago." He shrugged.
"Well, I wouldn't mind a discount." Hayate laughed before coughing a bit.
His group of himself, Yugao, Genma, Ebisu, Aoba, and Raido each bought 12 hours since they were all out. The discount kicked in and the total was 30,600ryo.
"Thanks for your patronage, you basically got 2 hours for free with the discount." Marashi smiled and recharged their cards.
They felt happy at that as they can imagine they'd be spending quite a bit of time in here so saving where they can would be nice.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura cursed to themselves as they didn't have the money to splurge on entertainment. The young Uchiha did, but he didn't see the need to buy it since there was no tangible benefit and he'd rather use his money to help him get stronger.
Instead they just loaded up on 3 hours costing 4500ryo all together and went over to game.
Kakashi didn't really spend his money on much so he paid for 24 hours so he won't have to do it so often and with the discount, the total was 10,200ryo.
Marashi mentally patted himself on the back for his brilliant business skills. Sure, without the discount it was 12,000ryo, so he's losing a bit, but it's all about psychology. The customers feel as if they're saving if they buy more, but would they have bought that much in the first place? Sort of like how with digital currency in games and such gives bonus depending on how much you spend.
The Game Card also deals in psychology. It fits inside a wallet and whether they are at the grocery store or whatever, they'd see it and be reminded of the shop keeping it in their minds.
Big Business moves right here.
On the other hand, Kakashi was pretty damn rich to the point that he wouldn't really care about a discount, but the small dopamine hit of saving is noteworthy.
This is the most full the Computer Cafe has been with 13 PCs active out of 15 which costs about 5200ryo, but that's not bad comparing the profits especially since most play for a couple hours. It's hella addicting.
Back with the Hyuga family, Hanabi showed her father and sister how to use the device and the clan head finally realized that this was real. He didn't want to believe that Marashi was some sort of con artist now, but when the computer turned on and his daughter showed him how to select Wizard101, he was convinced.
If that wasn't enough, when given the option of choosing PC or VR, picking the latter, and his consciousness entering the game, this practically slapped him in the face for ever doubting its authenticity.
[Hiashi Hyuga]
This headmaster's beard was incredibly long, something he has never seen before. The elders wished they had a beard like this wizard.
He was given some kind of childish test, but he saw a skip button and pressed it. He was given an option of schools to play and went through all of them.
The only correct choice was Storm since it was the strongest school for the strongest clan leader.
[Hinata Hyuga]
She was still rattled by what Naruto said and couldn't get it out of her mind. How did he know?
The thoughts swirled before she focused. She was about to play with her father and sister which hasn't happened in many years. This wasn't the time to get distracted. The technology amazed her and maybe she could continue playing with her family if she does well.
She thought the beard from the headmaster was fluffy before taking the test.
Life was the school she got.
+++
'Trying to heal two Storms? Godspeed, Hinata.' Marashi gave a mock salute as she would have her work cut out for her in the future.
They started questing together and their efficiency was quite good even if Hanabi was already ahead in levels. She still helped them quest and eventually tore through the streets making it all the way to the Harvest Lord before their time ran out.
Hiashi was amazed by the experience and spending time with his daughters in such a way made him happier, even if he'd never admit it. Hinata was actually quite good at healing and Hanabi had a good grasp of combining both of their attacks to do maximum damage. Their speed was quite fast.
He got up and wanted to pay for more time.
"12 hours for each." Hiashi didn't hesitate and Marashi took the cards recharging them. It was a huge sum of 15,000ryo after the discount.
Marashi checked his Games tab again and noticed another game as his sales were above 100,000.
It was Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Truly a classic competitive FPS.
Hiashi went back with his daughters to keep questing.
The others moved on to Krokotopia, the next world in the game.
With the upgraded graphics, they were awed by the scenery reminding them of the Land of Wind for the older players.
They quested through for a few hours noticing the difficulty spike a bit and had a blast battling Kroks and Manders.
Eventually, Kakashi and the others switched gears playing more COD wanting to feel the unique combat methods.
Hayate's group got through a few missions before trying Co-op again which was fun as did Team 7.
Hiashi was firmly entranced by gaming with his daughters as he quested through almost half of Krokotopia before realizing a total of 6 hours passed.
They logged off and Hiashi approached the counter.
"These devices are extraordinary, Marashi. Where'd you get them?" He asked.
The owner just smiled mysteriously.
"Trade secret."
Hiashi thought that would be the answer and didn't press. It was his business.
"Very well. Have a good evening." Hiashi led his daughters out.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had to recharge their cards for 3 hours in between before Team 7 got off for the night and headed out.
Hayate's group was still going strong on COD.
They stayed for another hour before exiting as well.
Now it was just Marashi.
He decided it was time to buy those PCs before the bell rung as someone stepped in.
Actually it was multiple someones.
Kurenai, Anko, Asuma, and Might Guy.
"Yo, Mara–" Asuma was about to greet and noticed the PCs.
The others were also caught off guard about the dramatic shift in the store.
"What's this, Mara-kun?" Anko grinned as she called him by that nickname.
"PCs for gaming. Computer Cafe. 500ryo an hour." Marashi shrugged.
"I THOUGHT I SAW A NEW SIGNBOARD!" Guy shouted with a grin.
Marashi had to explain everything once again and they all didn't believe him, even Might Guy got quiet.
They eventually decided to try it and paid for an hour while Marashi recommended they play COD.
All four of them jumped inside the game and their eyes widened to a whole new world.